Sorbent Textiles for Colored Wastewater Made from Orange Based Pectin Nano-hydrogel

Sepideh Shakibi,Nahid Hemmatinejad,Azadeh Bashari 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.6

In this article, the synthesis of pectin nano hydrogel, it’s having high absorption ability and its related applicationsin the treatment of colored wastewater have been investigated. Pectin has been extracted from orange peel as a good source ofpectin and the degree of esterification (DE) of pectin as a main parameter on the gel formation were determined. Pectin nanohydrogel was synthesized using Calcium Chloride as a cross-linking agent. The nanometer size and dye adsorption ability ofhydrogel particles from colored wastewater have been confirmed by the SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy methods,respectively. At the next step, the dye adsorption ability of the treated polyester fabrics with pectin nano hydrogel wasassessed and results indicated the high adsorption capacity of synthesized nano hydrogel. More specifically thespectrophotometry method indicated that treated polyester fabrics with chitosan and pectin nano hydrogel showed more dyeabsorption in compare to pectin and cationic surface agent treated fabrics.

Case Report : Presence of Fusion in Albinism after Strabismus Surgery Augmented with Botulinum Toxin (Type A) Injection

( Sepideh Tavakolizadeh ),( Azadeh Farahi ) 대한안과학회 2013 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.27 No.4

It is commonly accepted that albino patients with strabismus rarely achieve binocularity and depth perception after strabismus surgery. The presence of retino-geniculo-cortical misrouting, a hallmark of the visual system in albinism, does not necessarily cause total loss of binocular vision, however, not even in albino patients with strabismus. Recently some degrees of stereopsis were reported in albinism patients with minimal clinical nystagmus, if any, in the absence of strabismus. It is possible that patients with albinism and strabismus have binocular visual potential which appears after strabismus correction and provides appropriate postoperative alignment in the long term. Here we present two cases of clinically diagnosed oculocutaneous albinism, an 18-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy, both with exotropia ≥40 prism diopter, who gained acceptable alignment and fusion after surgical correction of their strabismus as demonstrated on Bagolini testing. In cases of albinism accompanied by visual pathway abnormalities and strabismus, binocular visual potential is not impossible, and some levels can be expected. Thus, these patients, like other cases of strabismus, may benefit from treatment of strabismus at an earlier age to achieve appropriate alignment, cosmetic satisfaction, and a possibly increased chance of fusion.

Technological Distance and Bilateral Trade in Asia

Sepideh Ohadi Esfahani,Seyed Komail Tayebi 한국경제연구학회 2016 Korea and the World Economy Vol.17 No.2

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between technological distance and bilateral trade flows in the selected Asian countries. Despite the majority of empirical analysis, we have explored the relationship between trade and technological distance through a nonparametric analysis. We thus specify an innovative version of a semi-parametric gravity model, which has been focused on explaining the role of technological distance in bilateral trade relations. Specified trade model keeps the interpretability of parametric effects of the gravity variables (such as GDP, population) and flexibility of nonparametric effects arising from, for instance, technological distance. The empirical results, which have been obtained by estimating a semi-parametric gravity model of trade over the period 1996-2013, imply the significant role of technology distance in trade flows for the Asian countries. More specifically, the relationship between technological distance and trade in a semi-parametric framework varies depending on the level of technological distance in Asia, that is, a low difference between technology levels in some Asian trading partners has led to an increase in trade flows, whereas a contrary result for some other partners.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in intensive care unit patients in a hospital with building construction: is there an association?

Sepideh Kamalbeik,Haleh Talaie,Arezou Mahdavinejad,Abdollah Karimi,Alireza Salimi 대한마취통증의학회 2014 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.66 No.4

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has emerged globally as a significant pathogen in hospitals. It is also present in soil and water. In a previous study, we discovered that the A. baumannii class 2 integron occurred most frequently. Here, we determined whether the A. baumannii class 2 integron is in the soil around our hospital, and if the soil is the cause for increasing numbers of A. baumannii infections in our intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in two ICUs at Loghman-Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from November 2012 to March 2013. Patient, soil, and hospital environment samples were collected. All isolates were identified using standard bacteriologic and biochemical methods. The phenotypes and genotypes were characterized. The standard disc diffusion method was utilized to test antimicrobial susceptibility. Integron identification was performed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 42 A. baumannii clinical strains were isolated, all from patient samples; 65% of the isolated species were classified as class 2 integrons. The strains were 100% resistant to piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cotrimoxazole, cefepime, ceropenem, and cefotaxime. However, all of the strains were sensitive to polymyxin B. A. baumannii was detected around the lip of one patient. Conclusions: Further research is necessary to establish a relationship between A. baumannii and soil, (especially in regards to its bioremediation), as well as to determine its importance in nosocomial infections and outbreaks in the ICU.

Postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting among preand postmenopausal women undergoing cystocele and rectocele repair surgery

Sepideh Vahhabi,Abolfazl Abaszadeh,Fatemeh Yari,Nazanin Yousefi 대한마취통증의학회 2015 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.68 No.6

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative pain are among the most common sideeffects of surgery. Many factors, such as a change in the level of sex hormones, are reported to affect these complications. This study aimed to evaluate the probable effects of the menopause on PONV and postoperative pain. Methods: Prospective study, in which a total number of 144 female patients undergoing cystocele or rectocele repair surgery under standardized spinal anesthesia were included. Patients were divided into two equally sized sample groups of pre- and postmenopausal women (n = 72). The occurrence of PONV, the severity of pain as assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, and the quantity of morphine and metoclopramide required were recorded at 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h after surgery. Results: The mean VAS pain score and the mean quantity of morphine required was higher among premenopausal women (P = 0.006). Moreover, these patients required more morphine for their pain management during the first 24 h after surgery compared to postmenopausal women (P < 0.0001). No difference was observed between the two groups regarding the incidence of PONV (P = 0.09 and P = 1.00 for nausea and vomiting, respectively) and the mean amount of metoclopramide required (P = 0.38). Conclusions: Premenopausal women are more likely to suffer from postoperative pain after cystocele and rectocele repair surgery. Further studies regarding the measurement of hormonal changes among surgical patients in both pre- and postmenopausal women are recommended to evaluate the effects on PONV and postoperative pain.

The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Anthropometric Indices, Serum Lipid Profiles, C-Reactive Protein and Insulin Resistance in Overweight Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Sepideh Dolati,Khoosheh Namiranian,Reyhaneh Amerian,Samane Mansouri,Sajad Arshadi,Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani 대한비만학회 2020 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.29 No.1

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation alone and in combination with aerobic training on body composition, glycemic variables, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid profiles in overweight women. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 healthy sedentary overweight females (aged 30–45 years with body mass index [BMI] of 25–30 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four groups of 10 subjects each: curcumin supplementation (Cur), placebo (Pla), placebo+aerobic training (Pla+Tra), curcumin supplementation+aerobic training (Cur+Tra). Curcumin or placebo capsules (500 mg/day) were administered for 8 weeks. Results: During the intervention, Cur group showed significant reductions in weight, BMI and fasting blood glucose level; Cur+Tra group decreased waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, serum insulin level, low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratio, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio and increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The between-groups analysis indicated increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups compared to the Pla group. The estimated marginal means of serum CRP were significantly higher in Pla+Tra group than in the Cur and Cur+Tra groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combination of curcumin supplementation with aerobic training more effectively improves glycemic and lipidemic statuses than curcumin supplementation or aerobic training alone.

Expected extreme value of pounding force between two adjacent buildings

Sepideh Rahimi,Masoud Soltani 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.61 No.2

Seismic pounding between adjacent buildings with inadequate separation and different dynamic characteristics can cause severe damage to the colliding buildings. Efficient estimation of the maximum pounding force is required to control the extent of damage in adjacent structures or develop an appropriate mitigation method. In this paper, an analytical approach on the basis of statistical relations is presented for approximate computation of extreme value of pounding force between two adjacent structures with equal or unequal heights subjected to stationary and non-stationary excitations. The nonlinearity of adjacent structures is considered using Bouc-Wen model of hysteresis and the pounding effect is simulated by applying the nonlinear viscoelastic model. It is shown that the proposed approach can significantly save computational costs by obviating the need for performing dynamic analysis. To assess the reliability and accuracy of the proposed approach, the results are compared with those obtained from nonlinear dynamic analysis.

Forward osmosis performance of thin film composite membrane composed of electrospun polysulfone fiber coated by Fe3O4/fCNT-embedded polyamide active layer

Sepideh Fakhim Hajiaghaee,Ali Bozorg,Mahdi Norouzi 한국화학공학회 2022 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.39 No.9

Thin film composite (TFC) membranes formed by polysulfone fibers (PSFs) substrates and polyamide(PA) active layers were investigated and their water flux and salt rejection were assessed through forward osmosis (FO)process. The PSFs substrates were fabricated by single/dual-nozzle electrospinning method with average diameter of0.49 to 0.59 m. Functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) were also prepared and equipped with Fe3O4 particles. Theformation of Fe3O4/fCNT hybrid was confirmed by SEM and XRD analyzes. The PA active layer was coated on thePSFs substrate via interfacial polymerization between m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride. The 0, 50, 100, 200,and 500 ppm of Fe3O4/fCNT hybrid were embedded in PA active layer during the IP process, and the obtained membraneswere characterized by FTIR, EDS, XRD, SEM, AFM, and BET analyses. The water contact angle results showedthat the hydrophilicity of TFC membranes was increased by increasing the concentration of Fe3O4/fCNT in the PAactive layer. The experimental results also revealed that the water flux and salt rejection could be affected by the Fe3O4/fCNT concentration within the PA active layer and the type of PSFs substrate. When compared to the single-nozzle,the FO results confirmed that higher water flux and salt rejection could be achieved by dual-nozzle electrospun PSFsmembranes. By using 200 ppm of Fe3O4/fCNT in the active layer, the maximum water flux of 25.0 and 27.4 L·m2·hr1was achieved by the single and dual-nozzle electrospun TFC membranes, respectively. In addition, the FO results indicatedthat, with the maximum rejections of 90% and 94% for Na2SO4 and NaCl, the higher the Fe3O4/fCNT concentrationin the PA active layer, the higher the salt rejection of the membrane.

A rare case of primary ovarian mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in pregnancy

Sepideh Azizi,Elena Ghotbi,Setare Nassiri The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2022 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.49 No.4

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is a rare tumor that is more common in young people; it is an uncommon type of chondrosarcoma with a poor prognosis. In two-thirds of cases, it affects the bone, especially the spine. However, parts of the body other than the skeletal system are occasionally involved. These rarer types have a worse prognosis, with a high likelihood of metastasis and death. Due to the possible misdiagnosis of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, the integrated use of imaging, immunohistochemistry, and pathology can be helpful.

Screening of carbon and nitrogen sources using mixture analysis designs for carotenoid production by Blakeslea trispora

Sepideh Shariati,Davood Zare,Saeed Mirdamadi 한국식품과학회 2019 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.28 No.2

The production of many secondary metabolitessuch as carotenoids is influenced by the type of carbon andnitrogen sources and C:N ratio applied in culture medium. The present study discusses the role of C:N ratio andscreening of carbon and nitrogen sources using mixtureanalysis design in carotenoids production by Blakesleatrispora. The C:N ratios of 20, 40, and 60 with six nitrogensources were evaluated. Results indicated that limitation ofnitrogen source (C:N of 60) could improve carotenoidsproduction. Six nitrogen and carbon sources were thenscreened using mixture analysis design. The most effectivenitrogen and carbon sources were soybean powder andglucose, respectively. The productivity of carotenoids(983.8 ± 31.5 mg/L) based on consumed nitrogen andcarbon source was 189.10 mg/g soybean powder and19.66 mg/g glucose. Mixture analysis design indicatedsingle carbon and nitrogen source were more effective thana mixture of sources for carotenoids production.